many different signs most of which have been answered. drink to function, drink before noon, drink alone, drink daily, high tolerance to booze, aggravated easily when sober, relies on alcohol for all social engagements, drinks large amounts on a regular basis often to the point of blackout, as said before it pretty much boils down to whether or not alcohol interferes with their ability to socially interact and take care of responsibilities, also if their drinking interferes with the majority of their relationships. etc.etc.

Technically your last sentence has several errors. It is a fragment - it needs a subject. Also, it would need to be "and we will be getting somewhere." You are asking him to do something, which must happen in the future.

Now, back to the "friend" who is an alchoholic. I would suggest that you attend an AA meeting, so that you can report to your "friend" on your new perspective.

If anyone ever told you that I give a damn, they damned well told you wrong!

The other day I was eating Starbursts and watching TV, and then a Starburst commercial came on. I was like, damn, that's profound.

As far as I am concerned, there is only one Book, and that is the Book of the Lord. Taking a note from Him, "Do to others as you would have them do to you." Luke 6:31 Additionally, "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." Matthew 7:12

If anyone ever told you that I give a damn, they damned well told you wrong!

The other day I was eating Starbursts and watching TV, and then a Starburst commercial came on. I was like, damn, that's profound.

As I said before, I have one, the only one I will ever need. Through it I shall find salvation, and comfort in the Lord. Perhaps you yourself should make a commitment to Jesus, and learn to live for others instead of yourself. In Jesus, even you will find forgiveness and compassion. I can recommend a site with people standing by ready to assist you in your journey. http://www.mormon.org

If anyone ever told you that I give a damn, they damned well told you wrong!

The other day I was eating Starbursts and watching TV, and then a Starburst commercial came on. I was like, damn, that's profound.

As for alcoholism; he won't accept it as a problem if he doesn't see firsthand that it is one... and he won't see it firsthand without some help. Videotape him while he's wasted (and don't show him any epic footage, just the shit that is ruining his life) and convince him he needs help. AA meetings won't do shit if he doesn't want to get better.

...seriously injure himself on a regular basis in alcohol-related accidents?

...completely destroy long-term relationships with friends or women when drunk?

...become violent or physically abusive?

...commit crime for the sole purpose of securing alcohol?

...drink at work?

...begin the day with a shot or beer?

If none of these match your friend, chances are he just likes to party and is a pretty cool guy. Alcoholism is a serious affliction that destroys your life. Alcoholics will become physically ill if they do not consume alcohol.

a giraffe walks into a bar and destroys the door frame, ceiling, and most of the interior due to his size. the bartender calls animal control who tranquilizes the giraffe and returns him to the local zoo where he remains, watching children laugh at him while he poops

haha sure, most weekends I'm going to bed early and racing Saturday because I'm on the track and cross country teams. Otherwise hanging out or playing basketball with friends/teammates, hanging out with my girlfriend, long run on sunday followed by a 1 to 2 hour brunch with my teammates at our dining hall haha, laundry/study sunday nights. Mario party/kart super smash tournaments quite often idk haha. Idk Just hanging like everybody else minus the alcohol.

"No wonder, everyone fucking hates you because your more of a douchebag than charmander and emopoppins put together."
-8===D$ thru a pm
"hey dude, you're a cunt. thats just my opinion though. i feel like you could have used your time better or more productively or some shit learning how to not be a cunt, or be less of a cunt. but um, its just my opinion.
ah fuckit, nah, you're just a cunt."
-asian_allen
"shut the fuck up Jenifa"
-gus555

when they are slurring by 10 passed out by 11 consistently. I have a friend who never makes it to midnight. It's weird though because we will all be getting shitfaced, but you can tell something is different with the way he drinks.

I probably end up drinking more than him most nights but i rarely get that incoherent.